Australia offers Philippines military help

Australia has offered to help train the Philippine military for its fight against Islamic extremists.

The role would be similar to the help Australia is giving Iraq in the fight against Islamic State, which is looking to expand into the southern Philippines.

Australia already has sent two surveillance planes to help the Philippines.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Tuesday said she had outlined to President Rodrigo Duterte what support Australia was giving Iraq but he had yet to respond to the offer.

"It is a very dangerous fight but Australia has already offered - and is supplying - support to the Philippines and we stand ready to assist should they require more," she told reporters in Canberra.

"Obviously, we would be ready to support the Philippines in the same way we are supporting Iraq in advising, assisting and training as the armed forces (in) Philippines are in the process of engaging in a pretty brutal fight with ISIS."

The United States, Malaysia and Indonesia had also made offers to help, Ms Bishop said.